10 Things to Do in New York in May

The days get longer and more pleasant in New York in spring, thanks to the good weather that makes everyone feel comfortable. So your list of things to do in New York in May can be longer and include many outdoor activities.

The high season will not yet have reached its peak at that time, which will make you feel more comfortable at tourist sites. In addition, you can participate in the celebration of the various festivities or activities that take place during that month. Discover here which events you will not want to miss.

The Hudson River originates 507 kilometres from New York City, specifically in the Adirondack Mountains, and is very special because from it you can see some of the Big Apple's most famous monuments, such as the Statue of Liberty.

For this reason, cruises on the Hudson River are so famous and in demand, especially in May when the temperatures are so pleasant. In addition, you can choose from a wide variety of options to book:

• Cruise to the Statue of Liberty — from S$35
• Manhattan night cruise — from S$69
• Sunset cruise on the Hudson — from S$38
• Buffet dinner cruise on the Hudson — from 233

The world's most important baseball season, MLB, is in full swing in May, providing an excellent opportunity to attend one of these great games held in New York. The participation of famous baseball players adds a lot of excitement and action.

Whether you're a baseball fan or not, you'll love the striking stadium structures, along with the shops and attractions inside. You will experience exciting moments with the extraordinary plays of these great baseball professionals.

You can also enjoy a cold beer at the popular and famous Yankee Stadium. If your favourite team is the New York Yankees or the Mets, attend an exciting baseball game. You will share this unique and vivid experience with thousands of fans.

Spending a day in natural spaces and breathing in the peaceful air is possible even in the big city. For this, there is the beautiful botanical garden, which is among the best in the United States. You will see vivid colours and smell the pleasant aromas of magnolias, tulips, peonies and other beautiful flowers.

If you want to get away from the tall buildings and noise, visiting it is what you should do in New York in May. It's also the perfect month to visit because the cherry trees are in bloom, filling the paths with white and pink colours.

Once you're in these meadows, you can choose what to do, whether it's relaxing, painting, taking photos or walking peacefully around the grounds. You don't even have to pay if you go on a Friday before 12:00 pm. On other days and times of the month, you will have to purchase a ticket to the New York Botanical Garden, but at an affordable price.

Every year, with the arrival of May, Shakespeare's plays begin in New York. During this festival, which is held in the enormous Central Park completely free of charge, two different plays by the famous writer are presented: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet or Cymbeline.

If you appreciate the value of these theatre classics, this event held in this unique setting will be your favourite. You will have an optimal view of the show thanks to the way the theatre has been set up.

The aim is to ensure that each and every spectator does not miss a single detail of the play. And something I recommend is that, before the performance begins, you take a tour of Central Park, as you are there to get to know it thoroughly and enjoy the special surroundings even more during the performance.

Useful information

• Date: performances begin at the end of the month, from Tuesday to Sunday.
• Time: 8:00 p.m.

It's quite difficult to put into words just how wonderful Manhattanhenge is, but I'll give it a try. It's a natural phenomenon that only happens twice a year, once of which is in May. Of course, as it's a natural phenomenon, the date and exact time of the solstice changes every year.

During this time, as the sun sets, it aligns with the main streets of Manhattan. Specifically, it aligns with the streets to both the east and west of this New York district.

You'll want to take the best photos, so be sure to bring your camera on the trip. There's nothing better than being in the right place at the right time. That way, you'll have the opportunity to witness a magnificent phenomenon like this and capture it in pictures.

One of the many activities you can do in New York in May to take advantage of the good weather is to explore its streets by bicycle. In addition to getting some exercise, you can visit many iconic and well-known sites such as Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge.

The city offers many options for cycling activities, with something for everyone:

• Bike rental in Central Park: ideal if you want to explore the famous park at your own pace and in comfort. The price also includes a map of the park.
• Bike tour of Manhattan: if you want a group activity, this option is ideal for exploring New York's most famous neighbourhood in the most comfortable way.
• Bike hire in the Financial District: with this option, you can hire a bike for a whole day and explore the area at your own pace. It's perfect if you already know the area on foot.

Do you love food as much as I do? If so, you'll agree that being at a food fair is ideal. In fact, this is one of the best things to do in New York in May. That's because there's a festival there full of culinary innovations from different parts of the world.

The food stalls are set up on 9th Avenue in a Manhattan neighbourhood called Hells Kitchen. Admission to this type of event is free , and you have the option of trying different special flavours.

You'll also find musicians playing and/or singing live to further liven up the cheerful atmosphere. Can you think of a better plan than food and music outdoors on a beautiful day? I can. If you are left wanting more, you can take a food tour of Manhattan the next day or whenever you like to continue discovering the flavours of the city.

A very important holiday for New Yorkers is called "Fleet Week." During this week, the families of those who serve in the United States Navy and Marine Corps are honoured. Family members of the Coast Guard are also included, and there are various activities that you can watch.

The week begins with military manoeuvres on the Hudson River. It also includes Memorial Day, a public holiday commemorating veterans, with a parade. If you go to Central Park, you will probably see many people having picnics on that day.

The same will happen on New York's best rooftops, where you can go to relax and enjoy the fresh air. Memorial Day is celebrated specifically on the last Monday of the month and indirectly marks the beginning of summer. In addition to the attractions being open, there will be several offers and sales.

If you like to exercise and run, a very popular event that you will find appealing is the half marathon in Brooklyn. But even if you are not passionate about running such distances, being a spectator is also a special event. You choose what to do in New York in May during this activity.

This event is well known and watched locally, and is eagerly awaited by many people. In fact, it is so popular that registration opens in January and sells out within an hour.

Remember that the weather during this season is very favourable for joining the event. Go for it and be one of those who can say they were, in some way, part of the marathon.

There are many activities you can do in New York in May if you leave Manhattan, but nothing beats the adrenaline rush of Luna Park. This amusement park, located in Coney Island, offers endless fun. Its different and well-structured attractions will make you feel indescribable emotions.

There is everything from roller coasters for adults, with impressive heights and speeds, to children's rides for the little ones. In addition, the attractions related to traditional fairground games add a little more excitement.

May in New York is springtime, so the weather is warm. However, during the night, the temperature tends to drop and you may experience some cold. Because of this, you should make sure you wear the right clothes for each moment.

In general, rain is no longer a problem, although there may be some occasional drizzle. Temperatures average between a minimum of 12°C and a maximum of 22°C. One of the advantages you will have is the many hours of daylight to enjoy yourself.

You will generally see the sun rise at 6:00 a.m. and it will get dark at approximately 8:00 p.m. Therefore, May is one of the best months for recreational activities due to its good weather.

Because it is the low season and not the high season, the number of tourists is lower compared to the summer months. Therefore, the chances of finding crowds in restaurants, shops, and other places are much lower.

That, along with the ideal weather, will help ensure that you don't experience any setbacks during your holiday and can have an excellent trip. Now you know that there are many things to do in New York in May.